How Robert Saleh, Jeff Ulbrich could figure into the 49ers' future

There's a major shakeup in New York with Robert Saleh out as head coach and Jeff Ulbrich into the interim position.
What does that mean for the 49ers? Probably nothing . . . right now. But we'll explain how it puts heat on defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen to provide the answers to convince Kyle Shanahan he is the best person for the job for the long term.
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[@losova7543]

Aaron Rodgers, I mean the New York Jets fire Robert Saleh as head coach…Freudian slip? 🤣🤣🤣

[@CA2TN2CA]

Matt only calls it straight 😂

[@kevinlay7092]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@KaiVangSF49ERS16]

Facts! Aaron Rodgers crybaby so Jets fire Robert Saleh😂🙄

[@edwinryan7348]

A great example of a Freudian slip

[@9ernorm84]

😂😂😂😂😂 was hoping someone else caught that

[@Ziptie497]

Love the intro!!! That was good!

[@jimmyhuang8730]

SORENSON is on the hot seat, I'm sure Lynch and KS was already on the phone with Saleh as soon as he was fired, if 9ers lose on Thur, SORENSON would be replaced by Saleh, he needs to be!!!! Maybe demote Sorenson to special team duties only LOL 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@katiecselovszki9946]

Matt you continue to be the voice of reason bringing us back to Earth.

[@MrFishandChipsOBE]

Matt - you guys in the press room need to investigate Shanahan's performance in 2nd half of games - when tied or winning at the HALF - in the 2nd half of games Shanahan's record is .500 ball....Apart from last season and we had a great season - the players overcame Shanahans erratic 2nd half coaching - Although it returned just when they didn't need it - in the SB ...2nd half was lost ....this season ...Kyle is 0-2-1 in the 2nd half when holding a tie or lead at HT - its a tendency that makes him a liability with the lead or close game at HT

[@KaiVangSF49ERS16]

Yes! Kyle Shanahan is the guy to blame. Shanahan doesn’t cut it…..if it doesn’t work after 5 years of being the Niners head coach then it’s time to move on from him

[@SFMILLVALLEY]

2 SB appearances & several league championship games gives Shanny a longer leash, but yeah im not gonna get all hysterical about "moving on" -- just yet. Lynch + Shanny are a package, until its not. Thats down the road but its ok to ponder it.

[@a1kid]

The Niners had very poor rosters in 2017/18. It took them a couple of years to clean things up, and I don't recall many people clamoring for Salah's head at the time. Fans knew a TOTAL housecleaning had to take place and we accepted that. If nothing else, Salah brought passion and intensity to the defense-something obviously lacking currently.

[@Bonsai_Mesquite]

Lombardi/Maiocco/Baldy = well informed football fan 😎

[@dgoodman1484]

I’d love to get Saleh back but let’s face it, if nothing, head coaches have egos and jumping right in to a DC would be admitting he wasn’t capable of being a head coach. Shame to because we could use him right about now. Although to be fair, it’s the offense that is the problem. Well that and special teams and our defense! lol 👍🏼😁

[@johnb6546]

Kyle and John need to fly to Salehs house right now and bring him back as our DC!

[@GoldRush97]

If Saleh took 2 yrs and DeMeco had his own learning curve, why would Shanahan trust a Super Bowl ready team to a first year DC. And why would you expect Sorensen to figure it out before they fall out of the playoff run??

[@NerdNest83]

If I'm John Lynch, I'd get on the phone right now and throw all the money at Robert Saleh and get him to come home. And he can probably bring Hassan Reddick with him. That may be happening as we speak for all we know.

[@GmanMusicProductions]

Great stuff as usual Matt! I like that idea of looking to Ulbrich for next season as DC. A mid-season change at DC isn't really going to fix the problems on defense.

[@01swainco]

Good reaction to a knee jerk jump hoping for magical easy fix. Big problem is both offense and defense have big impacts on each other. If the offense is marching up and down the field and putting up points it helps the defense in many ways because they are then playing a team frantic to catch up and out of their rythm. If the defense is shutting down the other teams offense the offense can be patient and run the ball and not force alot of down the field throws The problems on this niner team are everywhere. The offense is not establishing the run to open up play action, special teams are breaking down, tackling has been terrible...many other breakdowns. Fans and media never take into account the beating the players take when the team makes multiple runs every year deep into the playoffs. The constant turnover in players and coaches every year, all having an effect on player performance. Throw in whatever kyle is trying to do turning brock into Joe Namath with all the passing downs and its understandable why this team is underperforming.

[@seanjeffries3315]

I almost hope for our defense to get exposed and get blown out in Seattle just so Shanahan can grow some balls and fire his 2 ineffective defensive coordinator hires. Sorenson belongs as a secondary coach. Staley can do whatever he does. Seems like stubborness, ego, and a lack of awareness is going to prevent us from capitalizing on a golden opportunity dropped into our laps

[@mmaxwell16]

makes good sense

[@EdoJp]

The 49ers should only be concerned about winning the SB. Robert S. Gives them that chance. Our defense is horrible.

[@Rp-wj4lv]

No, you had it right the first time, Aaron Rodgers! And as far as Saleh coming back, it’s the right move to bring him back!

[@MrAbstractj]

Robert Saleh will want an HC job, but the 49ers should consider hiring him as a consultant if they can.

[@seandiego27]

They need to call him very quickly! He has the defense playing well. Rogers lost that last game for the Jets. Mike could you bring him in as a consultant???

[@chrispritchard6005]

1) we already know Saleh said he's not coaching the rest of 24. 2) Saleh can't fix this mess anyway. Sorensen isn't the problem. Players are generally in position to make plays they just aren't making them. They are among the league leaders in missed tackles. Just one example from the game. Hufanga had a bead on a runner on a screen pass and completely whiffed on the tackle. If that tackle had been made it would have been a loss of yards. Instead it went for like a 12 yard gain. Huf hasn't been able to stay on the field anyway so now they have 2 young safeties having to go thru growing pains. Bosa gets doubled every play so someone else has to step up and nobody has. Campbell was once a pro bowler but that was 4 yrs ago. Now he prob shouldn't even be in the field which would leave them with a bunch of first n 2kd yr players trying to find their way. Bottom line. They don't have the players to make this the defense were used to seeing. If they made any mid season move most likely it's Staley since he's already in house

[@Keith-cl3th]

Matt I thought the Jets denied the Niners request on Jeff Ulbrich?!

[@mattmaiocconfl]

I’m sure if it made sense at that time for Ulbrich and his family, he would be here.

[@Keith-cl3th]

@@mattmaiocconfl Matt to my understanding it would have been a lateral move and a team can absolutely block that. I don’t believe he had a choice in the matter.

[@mattmaiocconfl]

@@Keith-cl3th Yes, they can block it. What I'm saying is if it made sense for him and his family, the human side would have kicked in and the Jets would have let him go.

[@michaelgillum508]

Bring back. Jets want win

[@roryoconnor6298]

Matt I understand Nick needs time to grow. With an aging roster, multiple free agents that will probably walk, and Purdy looking at a massive payday, is this best season to be training a DC? Salah was the DC when the 49ers were not relevant and Shannahan just took over so there was an element of patience that is not there now.

[@elyramirez625]

Nice one 😅

[@eymannreport4177]

defense and o-line need to be addressed in the draft and free agency as we retool in 2025. the lack of talent on defense is not on sorensen.

[@gwest9076]

I would write Saleh a blank check and say pick your terms. Sorensen is in over his head.

[@scooter29]

I hope so but I think it’s unlikely

[@elyramirez625]

If we lose to Seahawks, DC definitely on the hot seat.

[@technicschic]

Lol @ "Aaron Rodgers... I mean the New York Jets... fire Robert Saleh" . Love your sense of humor, Matt! Question - I know you mentioned likely not a return for Saleh, which makes sense, but do you think there is any possibility where there might be discussions of Saleh as a consultant just for this year, with Sorenson still running things and Saleh looking at other options at the end of the year (don't know that there at opportunities for Saleh right now, might be an option for Saleh while he is waiting for other options to open up?). Or do you think that is unlikely as well, considering that they already have Staley essentially consulting as well, and Saleh wants to make a completely clean break and not come back in any capacity?

[@mattmaiocconfl]

I doubt it. That’s why Staley is here. What’s that saying about too many chefs in the kitchen?

[@technicschic]

@@mattmaiocconfl Yup, thought so, but just wanted to get your thoughts/insight. Appreciate it, Matt!

[@dannotary951]

Now the narrative with this team is needing new coaches and players . Sounds like the good times are over for this year at least .

[@cookie_monztyr4678]

Matt c'mon, you know Sorensen wasn't Kyle's #1 choice as DC. He wanted Belichick or Spagnuolo originally and got refused. Didn't he choose Wilks over Sorensen last year when Sorensen applied for the DC position? I think Sorensen's seat is heating up, If our defense dont improve before they bye week, I think its bye bye Sorensen, and Hello, old friend. If Sorensen can turn the ship around, I think he keeps his job as DC for the remainder of the season but gets fired in the off season. After Purdy gets paid, they're gonna have to rebuild, and what better way to rebuild the defense with Saleh as our returning DC.

[@damonjones6588]

Well someone gonna pull the plug on Shanny. Niners don't have time.

[@boba4199]

Yes re-hire ASAP.

[@CA2TN2CA]

I hear what you are saying. I dont think the players trusted Wilkes or liked the way they were being put in coverage. I hope you are wrong about our management being willing to try to get Salah back and Salah being willing to come home. He and Kyle just seemed to trust, they have known each other for so long. Kyle and John could have gone to Sorensen before Wilkes but didn’t and he went to two not just him. That doesn’t give the warm and fuzzies for me about how confident they were about that move. Our defensive leaders our the guys he knows and know him. He studied us for two years to play us, he is so good at pulling guys together (without a toxic influence undermining his every step every week on podcasts 🙄)

[@indianajim]

Technically it was 5 snaps….

[@KJro29]

Jets is a bad organization that destroys coaches like USC trojans. I think Saleh could be added as defensive consultant. Staley Saleh, and Sorenson could bounce ideas to strengthen defensive scheme and in game adjustments.

[@THEEblackdynamite]

WTF kind of meddling is the GM doing?

[@anthonyrhodes6606]

"Aaron Rodgers fires Robert saleh..." 😅

[@richardayala4356]

Won’t happen because Shanahan never admits to his hiring mistakes. You guarantee us, Matt? Famous last words from you!😅

[@mattmaiocconfl]

Well, he did fire Wilks after one season. What other hiring mistakes did he make? And what did I guarantee?

[@damonjones6588]

So you think it's better to bring in someone new instead of Saleh? Not making sense

[@daveprietojazz]

Rogers is a coach killer….

[@elnumberone4u]

Well I guess they don’t want to win then 😡🤬

[@dannotary951]

The players can’t do it anymore, they are old and beaten

[@jitendrakamdar1655]

Sir it is time to fire Our arrogant/ choker coach who has lost 3 SBs with leads .

[@5100yes]

It's already been said Saleh's going to take a break with family . Maybe things can change, but if he won't be a Niner then TANK! HIRE HIM NEXT YEAR! Get healthy and get High draft picks!

[@ptofview]

Fire Sorenson, HIRE Saleh NOW! It's a NO BRAINER! Get him before another team snags him up.

[@technicschic]

You might want to actually watch the video before commenting.

[@TheKT415]

Matt stop being so reasonable😂. No way, even if it’s possible, Saleh comes back, Shanny would have to admit he was wrong about Sorensen.

[@gwest9076]

He admitted he was wrong about Wilks. Why would this be any different?

[@tonymantinelli6747]

Zero chance Saleh is coming back to SF...Zero

[@mattmaiocconfl]

I'd put it at only slightly better odds than that. :)

[@Be-lowMe]

The football mind? Sorensen is swimming in shark infested water & there’s blood in the water.

[@brandondavenport6147]

Matt stop assuming things

[@mattmaiocconfl]

What was I assuming?

[@dannotary951]

Let the jets owner enjoy his shitty team . Rodgers is washed up , probably won’t make it thru the year without injury

[@omnione12]

Come on Sir, dont tell us it isnt reasonable. Unlikely sure, but unreasonable? We are one of the worst defenses in the NFL. How does the Rams and the Cardinals walk right down the field and end our games. Sorenson doesnt look ready for the role, I think we all want to hope it will get better, but I know I am not the only one who knew the Cards were going to walk right down the field after Mason fumbled. Ranked 29th in Red Zone, 22nd in Pass Def, 21st in Ints, 18th in Sacks, 26th in Takeaways Here is who we played: Jets Dumpster Fire Rams Dumpster Fire Cards Dumpster Fire Vikes One Trick Pony Offense, (Great defense though) Pats Rebuilding Dumpster Fire These are games our stats should be padded. if we lose to the Hawks, then we better demote Sorenson and bring back Saleh. Our season is pretty much in dire straights at that point (If we aint already there) we should be 4-1 at worst As always though, you know we love you Matt, I think we are all tired of watching uninspired football. All our Offense is balling out, but our defense is garbage, hot garbage.

[@Gelker_kitter]

Fire Kyle now

[@technicschic]

Yes, and bring back Chip Kelly and go 2-15! Or hire back Jim Tomsula so we can go 5-12! Or bring back "can't play with 'em, can't win with 'em" Mike Singeltary and go 5-15! *sarcasm*